Journal article
Combining the Viable System Model and Nature Futures Framework
Systemic Practice and Action Research, Vol.38, pp.1-38
2025
Abstract
Conceptual linkages between the Viable System Model (VSM) and the Nature Futures Framework (NFF) are explored drawing on south Asian human-elephant conflict (HEC) as an illustrative case study. While the VSM can map operationalized forestry systems responsible for managing HEC, this paper focuses on pre-structural foresighting process in participatory governance. The paper posits the NFF is a contemporary “Platform for Change” and that entailing VSM-related knowledge within NFF scenario process can help facilitate viable enterprise networking within global environmental and conservation discourse. The NFF-VSM approach helps address complex science-policy gaps in ecological governance through improved viability in communication, stakeholder engagement, and participatory decision-making. A poststructural foresighting lens is adopted to theorize VSM-NFF combining as an emerging metalanguage for navigating undecidability in complex sustainability governance. South Asian HEC literature and secondary case studies are analysed within the NFF-VSM complex to establish transformational knowledge focused on raising citizen diplomacy pressure. The results include: 1. Mapping HEC undecidability using NFF-VSM metalanguage principles. 2. Signalling cross-cultural directionality via a color semiotic triple-bottom line (TBL). 3. Presenting a speculative fabulation to reframe posthuman participatory collaboration. The NFF functions as a viable system four metalanguage domain to address complex ecological governance challenges that require affective images of desirable futures. VSM principles and genealogy can support development of speculative NFF scenario/fabulation (systems fiction) to catalyse foresight-policy and identity transformation. Combining VSM with NFF as a tool for addressing undecidability within sustainable governance promotes interdisciplinary ‘ideal speech’ communication. It improves futures literacy and offers actionable insights for networked cross-cultural policy-making. Finally, it demonstrates how grounded South Asian HEC case studies can inform viable enterprise telecoupling and support participatory governance promoting sustainable human-elephant coexistence (HECx).
Details
- Title
- Combining the Viable System Model and Nature Futures Framework
- Authors
- Russell Clemens (Corresponding Author) - University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, School of Law and Society
- Publication details
- Systemic Practice and Action Research, Vol.38, pp.1-38
- Publisher
- Springer New York LLC
- Date published
- 2025
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11213-025-09718-1
- ISSN
- 1573-9295
- Data Availability
- No datasets were generated or analysed during the current study.
- Organisation Unit
- School of Law and Society
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991144238402621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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